Corwin House
Why it's listed
Built around 1830, this brick farmhouse at 1255 State Route 48 in Lebanon is a vernacular version of the Federal style. It rises two and a half stories on a stone foundation under a gabled roof, with Flemish bond brickwork on the front, radiating voussoirs over the windows, and dentils beneath the roofline. The off-center entrance has a transom and sidelights, now covered with shutters. A rear wing and double-flue end chimneys complete the L-shaped plan. The house is recorded on the 1875 atlas as belonging to Thomas E. Corwin, and it stayed with the Corwin family, cousins of Governor Thomas Corwin, until 1978. It was once part of Turtlecreek township, where residents farmed livestock and fruit, and the farm tied into Lebanon's trading and dairy economy. Alterations include a removed Victorian porch and a concrete porch slab. Suburban development now surrounds the house, and it survives as a rare local reminder of the area's farming past.
Significance in brief: It is significant as a vernacular example of a Federal style farmhouse that keeps remnants of its historic agricultural setting. It is described as a relatively rare example of the style in the region. It also reflects the farming life of Turtlecreek township and its close ties to Lebanon.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84000166, listed October 10, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1255 OH 48, Lebanon |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | October 10, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000166 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior condition is listed as fair, and the present use is residential. Two small brick outbuildings to the west are in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 39.45425, -84.20521 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84000166.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138755179
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.